Development and Examination of Psychometric Properties of Questionnaire on Addiction to Virtual Social Networks in Adolescents

The purpose of this correlational study was to develop and examine the psychometric properties of a researcher-made questionnaire on addiction to virtual social networks in adolescents. The statistical population of this study included all female high school students in Tehran city during the School Year 2017-2018, among whom 514 students were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling method. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were examined through classic and modern theories. In the results section, the face and content validity of the questionnaire were confirmed. Next, the construct validity of the tool was confirmed through classic theory (factor analysis). In general, the data analysis (through item response theory) met one-dimensionality and local independence and led to the following none of the chi-squares was significant that indicated that the model was embedded with suitable level of goodness of fit. In addition, examination of items and their slopes showed that they had suitable discrimination parameters as well as great validity because of information functions (except for items 4 and 29). In sum, The Questionnaire on Addiction to Virtual Social Networks had desirable psychometric properties in classic and item response theory and it could be used as an appropriate tool for diagnosis in adolescents.